The defendants at the courtThe “kingpin” behind a gold smuggling ring involving more than 546 kg of gold worth over VND1.208 trillion, along with the former chair of the Vietnam Gold Company, have been sentenced in a case involving smuggling and violations of accounting regulations “causing serious consequences”. The trial panel sentenced Tran Thi Hoan (41, gold trader) and Pham Tuan Hai (56, former director of Thang Long Trading and Services Co., Ltd.) to 10 years in prison each for the crime of smuggling. Accomplices in the smuggling charge, including Tran Thanh Hieu (39), Vang Thi Phuong (26), Luong Thi Bich Ha (32), Lieng Thi Thuc (25), Nong Thi Thuy Linh (41), and Nguyen Thi Phuong Nga (49), received sentences ranging from 3 to 5 years. Regarding this amount, the court ordered Tran Thi Hoan and Pham Tuan Hai to bear responsibility for compensating the damage. After crossing the border, she would call employees or relatives of Tran Thi Hoan to notify them of the delivery time at Hoan Hue Gold Shop or at a location near the “kingpin’s” residence.

This year’s nearly two-week Tet holiday may seem long enough for children to “recharge,” but it has left many parents uneasy as exams draw near. “I have always hoped that students could have a Tet holiday with ‘no homework,’ so they can devote 100 percent of their time and attention to ‘learning’ more about the traditional cultural knowledge and values of the nation during Tet,” Ngan said. According to Ngan, there is no need to worry excessively that students will “lose” knowledge if they are not given Tet homework. Therefore, Ngan said assigning homework during Tet is unnecessary and may create avoidable stress and pressure for students. Tet is the most natural space for students to nurture their identity and form a cultural character,” Thuy said.

Many other cancer patients are also facing a life-or-death dilemma closely tied to the enormous cost of treatment. The reason is the very high demand for their use, while treatment costs are so high that many patients cannot afford to follow long-term regimens. Statistical data shows that targeted therapy can help extend progression-free survival up to 36.8 months, a very significant figure in cancer treatment. Prof. Pham Cam Phuong, Director of the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi), noted that current cancer treatment costs are immense. With timely and adequate treatment, many cancer patients can return to normal life and continue to contribute positively to society.

Fireworks light up the sky over Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio in Ho Chi Minh City to open the Can Gio Spring Festival, February 7, 2026. “This is the first time that people in Can Gio can enjoy such a grand Tet festival right in our hometown," she said. With large-scale investments in transport and destination infrastructure, Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio is envisioned as a world-class destination aligned with ESG++ standards and sustainable development goals, targeting 40 million visitors annually. Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio was designed as a vibrant resort, festival, and entertainment complex. These components underscore the ambition of Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio to become a true international mega-destination, providing a powerful boost to Ho Chi Minh City’s economic growth in a new era.

Ho Coc Beach, Ba Ria – Vung TauIf you're dreaming of the sea but wary of Vung Tau’s Tet crowds, Ho Coc Beach offers a quieter alternative. Once ranked among the world’s 12 most surprisingly affordable beach paradises, Ho Coc lies just 125km southeast of central Ho Chi Minh City, making it easy to reach. A bird’s-eye view of Ho Coc Beach reveals its natural beauty. (Photo: Vivu24h Ho Coc)Campers love the wild charm of Ho Coc Beach. (Photo: Nam Cat Tien National Park)Mui Ne Beach, Phan ThietAlthough 210km away, travel to Mui Ne is now quick and easy via the expressway.

As the Lunar New Year draws closer, Vietnam’s oldest incense village is in a full sprint. In Quan Huong village, located in Thang Binh commune, Da Nang City, over 100 households are producing incense at maximum capacity to meet the surging demand for Tet. Drying incense under pressureOnce shaped, the incense needs to dry under sunlight for 4–8 hours. The closer it gets to Tet, the busier life becomes in Quan Huong incense village. Recently, Mr. Hieu was named a Vietnamese Craft Artisan by the National Craft Village Association.

This figure includes both locally produced and imported vehicles and reflects a 2% increase compared to December 2025’s total of 69,407 units. Of that total, domestic production accounted for approximately 56,200 vehicles - up 2.7% from December and a staggering 48.5% higher than January 2025. This surge sets a new production benchmark for the country’s auto industry and highlights the commitment of Vietnamese manufacturers to start the year strong. However, compared to January 2025, the number of imported vehicles more than doubled - rising 104% in volume and 140% in value. The Vietnamese car market is currently experiencing its most active phase of the year as the Lunar New Year approaches.

Photo: Gia Lai Provincial PoliceThe Criminal Investigation Division, in coordination with other units of Gia Lai provincial police, broke up the interprovincial dog theft operation on the morning of February 7. Hoang Van Hoan, born in 1984 and residing at 55 Lu Gia Street, Thong Nhat Ward, Gia Lai Province, was identified as the ringleader. The stolen dogs were gathered at a house located at 24 Le Dai Hanh Street, Thong Nhat Ward. Photo: Gia Lai Provincial PoliceHung was responsible for acting as a lookout. The total number of stolen dogs is estimated at approximately 5,200, with a combined weight of 52 tonnes.

A concept render of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Conflicting signals from early leaksIn the early stages, leaks surrounding the Galaxy S26 series had raised expectations. Citing independent sources, Ice Universe confirmed that the Galaxy S26 Ultra would only support Qi2 when used with a magnetic case. A more recent leak also revealed that Samsung plans to sell non-magnetic cases for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This means that by the time the Galaxy S26 Ultra arrives, Samsung’s two biggest rivals will already have years of experience and mature accessory ecosystems in place.

Tran Van Khu, a longtime grower in Vi Khe, is facing a nightmare. I’m sitting on a ticking time bomb.”Normally, growers strip the leaves from peach trees about 50–60 days before Tet to trigger flower budding in time for the festival. The early bloom has spread across Vi Khe, throwing entire communities into panic. Trần Tấn Dac, born in 1956 and also from Vi Khe, planted around 1,100 peach trees between two and three years old. More than 20 hectares have bloomed early due to this year’s unusual climate patterns.

To cope, some are turning to a growing but discreet market: renting a boyfriend or girlfriend for the holiday. Thong, 30, who manages a household goods shop in Ho Chi Minh City, said he had considered hiring a woman to pose as his girlfriend for several days during the Lunar New Year holiday, due in a week. In previous years, his former partner had visited his family during the holiday, and this year he felt unprepared to face questions from relatives. Another man, Minh, 25, who helps run his family's business at a wholesale market in Ho Chi Minh City, said he was also searching for a rented partner ahead of a trip home to Ca Mau Province. In one closed group, a woman using the name Thao V. described offering full-day dating services around Ho Chi Minh City, including meals, social events, and private movie rooms.

Candidates can flexibly use high school graduation exam results or Aptitude Test results for admission. In 2026, the University of Economics HCMC (UEH) will also stop independent admission based on academic transcripts and high school graduation exam scores. The University of Industry HCMC will no longer conduct separate admissions based on individual methods, such as high school transcripts or national high school graduation exam scores, but instead adopt an integrated admissions approach. Academic transcript scores, graduation exam scores, and VNU HCMC Aptitude Test scores will be converted to the same scale, with different weightages for each component. Universities are now required to clearly disclose regulations on score differentials between subject combinations (if any) as well as methods for converting admission scores across different admissions methods, in line with admissions regulations.

First is Viettel Group inaugurating a high-tech semiconductor chip manufacturing plant on January 16. Recently, Vietnam has participated in five out of six stages including product definition, system design, detailed design, packaging - testing, and integration - validation. A semiconductor chip fabrication plant is not only significant economically but also carries the weight of developing national cyberspace. Lieutenant General Le Minh Thai, Director of the Military Technical Academy, said: “Chip technology is not something others will transfer to us. The company has just announced the establishment of a semiconductor chip packaging and testing plant and committed that it will begin production within the next three months.

Foreign diplomats wearing 'ao dai' pose for a photo while joining a spring outing program in Ho Chi Minh City, February 7, 2026. -- Police in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam have busted a cross-border gold and silver smuggling ring, with seized items valued at nearly VND11 billion (US$425,890). -- Police in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam have dismantled a ring involved in the production and trading of counterfeit and low-quality fertilizers. Ho Chi Minh City-- Officers from the firefighting and rescue police units have raised awareness and reminded vendors and employees at several markets and commercial areas in Cho Lon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City to comply with fire and explosion prevention measures over the past few days. -- Authorities in China will temporarily halt customs clearance of goods at multiple border gates in Lang Son Province during the upcoming 2026 Lunar New Year holiday.

Jindo County head Kim Hee Soo. Photo: Chosun DailyThe embassy said it had sent a diplomatic note to the governor of South Jeolla Province and Jindo County objecting to comments made by Jindo County head Kim Hee Soo. At an official government forum, Kim suggested special measures such as bringing in young women from overseas to marry rural men. In its note on Friday, the Vietnamese embassy said the two countries had built a relationship of friendship, cooperation, and equality over more than three decades. The embassy said respect for the dignity and honor of citizens, particularly women, was a shared value of both nations, adding that language such as "importing Vietnamese women" was inappropriate and should be acknowledged and corrected.